“Don’t,” she said quickly. “Come on.”
She climbed out the window without looking back. I followed, my hands shaking as I clambered down the tree.
Across the street, I glanced at Kieran’s house. His room was dark, like it had been for years. I wasn’t even sure his mum still lived there.
I missed him anyway.
I hit the ground hard and ran after Sable.
Cars screeched to a stop behind us—guards. Doors slammed. Shouts tore through the night.
We vaulted the fence and sprinted into the cold, breath steaming, lungs burning.
“You didn’t bring a car?” I panted.
“I did,” she said. “I just had to park a little way away.”
We burst through a hedge, branches tearing at my shirt, and the white Toyota came into view, engine idling.
“Get in.”
I didn’t hesitate.
She floored it the moment my door slammed shut.
Blue and red lights flared in the mirrors.
“Fuck,” Sable muttered. “Someone tipped them off!”
She spun the wheel hard, tires screaming, and shot down the road.
“Where are we going?” I yelled, gripping the seat.
“Somewhere safe.”
“Why are you here?” I demanded. “You were in the city. You had a job—”
“Do you honestly think I would forget about you?” Sable snapped. “That job— the one Dad lined up—”
She cut herself off, jaw tightening.
“The medical centre?” I asked.
“Central medical files,” she said, eyes fixed on the road. “The things in there, Seph…” Her voice went thin. “What the Council is doing to people.”
She glanced at me.
“What they’re doing toyou.”
“Sable – “
She looked broken. That was my first thought. I wanted to reach for her.
A determined look flooded her eyes. “I won’t let you live like this anymore,” she growled, cutting hard to the right. The car swerved hard and slid into a dirt road towards the beach.
The guards followed.
I spun in my seat and looked.
